Skill Building for the Unemployed Client

Objectives

• Evidence based factors which affect employment and retention

• Exposure to skills and skill development while incarcerated

• How to incorporated Cognitive Based Interventions (CBI) during office visits with clients

• How to define, identify, and develop skill sets with clients during office visits and independently in the community

• How to answer the “felon” question the right way

Anti-Social Behavior

Anti-Social Personality

Anti-Social Cognitions

Anti-Social Associates

What’s happening at the DOC Pre-release….

(The following slides were taken from the MNDOC curriculum)

FREEDOM!!! Well, kind of…

• First day…what do you need to do?

• What is your plan?

• What do you need to obtain through Pre-Release Class?

What do you want for yourself ?

• People get in trouble everyday—one in ten Americans have a felony conviction.• How do you plan on bouncing back

from this event and changing your life, so you don’t make a lifestyle out of this?

MN DOC Pre – Release Class• Mandatory for all offenders- some exceptions

• Creative Job Search• Resume Tips• Applications• Resumes• Current “hot” jobs• Interviews• Felony Questions• Interest Profiling

• Optional Classes• Relapse

Prevention• Novadebt• Mock Interviews• Child Support• College

Preparation

Schedule of events…• Day 1

• Identification• Birth Certificate

• Social Security

• Driver’s License/ID

• Omar and Pete/Dateline

• Day 2• Housing

• Credit

• Medical

• Day 3• Tax Credit

• Federal Bonding• Family Reunification• Child Support

• Day 4• Release Planning• Casework• Living Under Supervision• Optional Seminars

What are the most important indicators for a successful transition?

1. Positive Primary Relationship

2. Stable “safe” Home

3. Employment

4. New Attitude and Different Behavior

Who will your support people be?• Mentors

• Family

• Job Clubs

• Ex-Offender Groups

• NA/AA

• Religious/Spiritual Organizations

• Friends

~Goals~

• What are your goals?

• Long-Term Goals

• Short-Term Goals

• What did you like about your past life?

• What do you want to change and/or outgrow?

Did you know…..• If you have a $680.00 reinstatement fee due

to a alcohol/drug offense while driving, you may qualify for a staggered payment plan

• If you used a public defender, you may qualify for this service

• Contact:

STATE OF MN DRIVER & MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICES DIVISION

445 MINNESOTA STREETST. PAUL, MN 55101-5180

$18.00 for individuals under the age of 65$11.00 for individuals 65$.50 for anyone having a documented disability

Do NOT give your clients the “Felon Friendly Employment List

Gate Fee• ½ of all of your paychecks will go towards your gate fee until you reach

$500.00• DOC allows $100

• Meaning, if you don’t have the full $100, the DOC will kick in the remaining amount so you have a full $100 upon leaving the facility.

• The money does not come from your personal spending account, it comes from your work account.

Back to reality…• What does society think of

individuals getting released from prison?

• How do you represent other parolees?

Life after Incarceration

Building Capacity

• Hard SkillsTransferable skills/ Skill developmentInterviewingResumeAnswering THE question

• Soft Skills (Cognitive Based)AttitudeCommitment Endurance (Job retention)

Skill Development(Hard Skills)

• Existing skills- natural abilities/ interests

• Skills gained while incarcerated (Culinary, Building Maintenance, Customer Service, Construction)

• Skill building in the community (Good Will Easter Seals, Twin Cities Rise, Summit Academy, MNSCU)

• Transferable skills

Transferrable Skills Exercise

Skill Development(Soft Skills)

• Cognitive Based Interventions (University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute)• Intervention for Justice Involved individuals seeking employment (CBI-EMP)

• Dealing with situations at work

• Advanced Practice

Maximizing Your Office Visits

• Carey Guides

• LSCMI

• Focused Conversations

• Skill Practice/ Intervention

Structured Office Visit

• Check- In 4-5 Minutes

• Review Homework 4-5 Minutes

• Intervention 10 minutes

What does skill practice look like??

• Role Playing• Interviewing skills• Answering the FELON question (3 minute drill)

• Cognitive worksheets• Job readiness preparation and rehearsal

• Job retention• Soft skills• Interest profiles

Interview Skill Practice

• Use the employers name• Shake their hand• Have knowledge about the company• Sell your STRENGTHENS… focus on the positive• Be sincere and enthusiastic• Tell them you want to work• Answering THE question… time to practice

Answering the QUESTION(Conviction Response)

C: Comfort the employerO: Own itP: PositivesE: Encourage the Employer

R: Right to knowS: SincerityL: LearnedA: Advantage

• Explain what happened (keep it positive, don’t dwell on the past• Explain what you have learned from your mistakes- own up to it• Tell the employer how you will make a positive contribution to their work

place (Be confident!!)

“In regards to my criminal conviction, I have made some mistakes in the past. I was incarcerated for a (felony). At that time, my judgement was clouded. I made a some wrong choices and I did some thing (s) I am not proud of. I admit that my mistake(s) were serious, but since this time I have taken a look at myself and decided to make changes. I have completed (programs, internships, etc.) They have given me the skills to contribute to your company in the following ways…..”

Accountability

• Job logs

• Goal planning sheet

• Signed AA cards

Employment Resources for Felons

Do NOT give your clients the “Felon

Friendly” Employment List

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

Federal Bonding Program

Job Fairs

MN Workforce Centers

How can AGENTS help?

• Provide positive encouragement

• Recognize their efforts

• Show empathy

• Think outside the box

• PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

Questions? Comments?

Contact Us!

Amie PetersonCareer Probation OfficerSherburne County Community Corrections(763) 765-4566Amie.Peterson@co.Sherburne.mn.us

Malissa McCrea, MAProbation Officer IIRamsey County Community Corrections(651) 266-7613Malissa.mccrea@co.ramsey.mn.us

Mark Groves, MSEd, GCDF, LADCRehabilitation Counseling CareerDepartment of Employment and Economic Development(651) 539-2346Mark.groves@state.mn.us